Christmas in July days 30 and 31

For these last 2 days, I have thoughts of electronics.  Most people have portable devices of one kind or another.  To wind down on a simple note, offer a little fun, and a chance to try out something new, I have this idea.

Get some wool yarn.  Yes I know we are heading into the dog days of summer.  Save this for later if you like or find an air conditioned place to sit.  Grab a hook or pair of needles that will match your yarn to give you a little larger gauge.  For this I mean that if your ball band recommends a size H hook or size 7 needles to get the suggested gauge, go up 2 sizes.  If you already have to change your hooks or needles, go up 2 sizes from that.  Now grab a copy of a stitch dictionary and pick a bunch of stitch patterns you want to try.

My idea is this.  felted sleeves for portable electronics.  Measure your intended appliance, add 30% more stitches  (3 more stitches for every 10 needed to get the desired measurement).  Then knit or crochet the stitch pattern you chose.  Seam it.  Wash it to felt it either a little or a lot, but only until it matches your needed size.  Let air dry.

Let us use this example:  I have a portable device measuring 2 inches wide by 4 inches tall and is less than 1/2 inch thick.  My yarn suggests a size H hook or 7 needle to get 16 stitches to 4 inches.and 19 rows to 4 inches.  I know that means that I will need to chain or cast on for 11 stitches.  My math is this:  16 stitches divide by 2 is 8 plus 3 for the 30% (I rounded up).  19 rows is 4 inches but I know that felting also pulls vertically more than horizontally so I will add up to 40% more rows to counter this.  So 19 x 40% is 7.6 rows more, round it up to 8 rows.

I know that my pattern has to have space for 11 stitches wide and 27 rows for one side.  Small patterns for small devices allow for more repeats.  Cables require even more stitches for width.  I would add another 20% (2 for every 10 of original number.  Then add the felting 30% ).  So if I choose cables, I would start with 8 stitches plus 2 for cable plus 3 for felting to give me 13 stitches.

I could even choose 2 different patterns for front and back.  I would not choose laces for felting though.  The felting is there to offer some protection from the daily bumps and drops some things get.  The felting will also offer scratch protection.

If you've never intentionally felted anything, have no fear.  It's easy.  Once the Pieces are done and sewn together (I find it easier to sew before felting,).  A bucket of hot water with some soap and a long handled wood spoon are all you need to get started.  The hot water is one felting agent.  The soap provides lubrication for the fibers to slide together.  The spoon provides the agitation, another felting agent.  Do this outside under a shady tree if possible.  It will get you wet.  The idea is to viciously stir the bucket with the soapy water and one or two small objects for felting.  You will need to remove them from time to time to see if the felting is done far enough but not too far that you can't get your final object in.

Once felting is achieved, let air dry.  You can then add a zipper to the open edge or ties or a clasp of some kind.  Have fun and thanks for this journey through July with me.

Christmas in July day 13

Headbands continue to have a following.  I will admit to using these on occasion.  The reasons why people wear these instead of hats are many and varied.  There are some who wear them with hats as well.

Here are some quick and easy patterns

Ribbed headband

Fair Isle headband plus matching mittens

crocheted Headband

and finally  cold weather cables

Some of these sites require registration.  All are free.  Sign in to access your preferred pattern.

New Schedules and some time off

In an effort to have sufficient time for everything coming up, one son with his fiance is coming for a visit around Easter.  The same son is graduating and getting married in the month for weddings.  I also wanted to make sure I had enough classes scheduled for everyone to be happy and get what they need.

Here are my classes thru the end of July.  I don't want to think of August or the last third of the year just yet.

Beginner Knit Classes which are held Thursday nights unless otherwise noted are first.

Discover Knit Stitch Class    All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 28

April 4

April 6 (Saturday 9 – 11:30 am)

May 2

May 30

July 25

Discover Purl Stitch Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

March 7

April 11

April 13 (Saturday 9 – 11:30 am)

May 9

June 6

July 5

Discover Pattern Stitches Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 14

March 14

April 18

April 20 (Saturday 9 – 11:30 am)

May 16

June 27

July 6 (Saturday 9 – 11:30am)

Discover Cables Class All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 21

March 21

April 25

April 27 (Saturday 9 – 11:30 am)

May 23

June 7

Beginner Crochet classes are next up.  These are held every Monday night unless otherwise noted.

Discover Single Crochet  All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm   

March 11

April 1

April 29

June 24

July 23

Discover the Tall Stitches of Crochet   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 11

March 11

April 8

May 6

June 3

July 29

Discover Granny Squares   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 18

March 18

April 22

May 13

June 10

July 31

Discover Textured Stitches   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 25

April 22

May 20

June 5

Advanced Knit classes are held Friday nights unless otherwise noted.

Discover Baby Knits Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

Kimono March 1

Blanket & Booties April 5

Kimono May 3

Blanket & Booties May 31

Kimono July 26

Discover Mitered Knitting Class   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

March 8

April 12

May 10

Discover Fair Isle Class/Learn to Fair Isle   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 15

March 15

April 19

May 17

June 28

Discover Time To Knit Classes    All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

March 22 Socks Toe Up

April 26 Double Knitting

May 24 Socks Top Down

Advanced Crochet classes are the final classes scheduled.

Discover Baby Crochet Class      All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

Rattle March 6

Hooded Blanket April 3

Rattle May 1

Hooded Blanket May 29

Rattle July 24

Discover Throws and Wraps in Crochet Class  All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

Lace Openwork Wrap February 13

One Piece Granny Throw March 13

Lace Openwork Wrap April 10

One Piece Granny Afghan May 8

Lace Openwork Wrap June 26

Discover Crochet Gifts Class      All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm

February 20

March 20

April 17

May 15

Discover Time to Crochet Classes   All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm 

February 27 Tapestry Crochet

March 2 Knook

April 24 Broomstick Lace

May 22 Afghan Patterns

The last thing to note are yarn nights.  

Yarn Nights are times for you to get a question answered about a stitch, yarn or pattern question that doesn’t require a full class.  You can also sit and stitch with me at this time.  Times are 6 – 8:30 pm unless otherwise noted.

February 26

March 19

April 23

May 21

June 1 (Saturday, 1 – 4 pm)

July 30

My Mother's in law hooded scarf present ~ Christmas 2011

Last year, I gave my mother in law a hooded, pocketed scarf.  It was done in red wool/acrylic blend.  Red was chosen because it favors her well.  It was a fairly quick knit on size 13 needles and with a super bulky yarn.  The area inside the pockets is stockinette.  The body of the scarf is 3 stitches of seed stitch and a plait cable in the center with 3 stitches in reverse stockinette.  I will have to see my Mother iu law about getting good pictures of her with her scarf and the scarf alone.  The pictures I took with my cell phone and camera are less than acceptable.  Pictures and I are uneasy friends.  Maybe I should invest in a photography class for beginners.

Mom's Scarf

I used 6 skeins Cozy Wool and size 13 US needles.

Stitches used are Seed Stitch, Reverse Stockinette Stitch, and Plait Cable.

CO 11 sts.
Row 1,3:  K 5, m1, K to end.
Rows 2, 4:  P 5, m1p-wise, P to end.
Row 5:  k 1, p1, k1, p 2, k3, m1, k2, p2, k 1, p1, k1.
Row 6:  k1, p1, k3, p3, m1 p-wise, p3, k3, p1, k1
Row 7:  k1, p1, k1, p2, k3, m1, k4, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 8:  k1, p1, k3, p4, m1 p-wise, p4, k3, p1, k1
Row 9:  k1, p1, k1, p2, k9, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 10:  k1, p1, k3, p9, k3, p1, k1

You should have 19 sts on R 10.

Now start the plait cable

Row 11:  k1, p1, k1, p2, k9, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 12:  k1, p1, k3, p9, k3, p1, k1
Row 13:  k1, p1, k1, p2, FC6, k3, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 14:  k1, p1, k3, p9, k3, p1, k1
Row 15:  k1, p1, k1, p2, k9, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 16:  k1, p1, k3, p9, k3, p1, k1
Row 17:  k1, p1, k1, p2, k3, BC 6, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 18:   k1, p1, k3, p9, k3, p1, k1

Rep R 11 - 18 until you have 6ft of scarf.  Start doing reverse shaping from R 10 - 1, using k2 tog in place of m1 and p2tog in place of m1 p-wise.

To make pockets (Make 2)

CO 11

Row 1,3, 5, 7, 9:  K 5, m1, K to end.
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10:  P 5, m1p-wise, P to end.


Work 2 inches in k1, p1 rib.  Bind off in pattern.

Mattress Stitch to Scarf ends.

To do the hood portion

Fold scarf in half and on center 36 inches pick up 2 sts for every 3 rows.  Work 3 sts at each edge in seed stitch and working in to center, 1 stitch Rev Stockinette, a 6 stitch plait cable, 1 stitch Rev Stockinette, and the bulk of the hood is stockinette.  Work in this manner for 15 inches.  Graft edges together for a seamless look.